Tag: Saint Vincent Hospital
The Impact Doubled for Brayden & Brooke!
On Monday, January 27th, Variety presented adaptive equipment in Erie, and what a day it was!
6-year old Brayden received a communication device AND a bike, and you have to read what his mom shared…
“Brayden is nonverbal, so he doesn’t speak, so this device is going to really help him. And it’s just, it gets tough because I’m a single mom at home, I have limited income and I have another child who’s high functioning autistic. She speaks and everything, but she’s just having some trouble with emotions and dealing with others.
And so we just take one day at a time, but he’s just – all of these kids with special needs are such blessings, but it’s hard, it’s really hard sometimes. And you just want to make it as normal for them as possible, because they have enough challenges, so you just want to give them love and help them communicate as best they can. So I’m very thankful.”
Earlier that day, Variety held a Press Conference with City of Erie Mayor Joseph Schember, Saint Vincent Hospital CEO Dr. Christopher Clark, representatives from Intermediate Unit 5, Barber National Institute, and others from the Northwestern corner of Pa. to make a big push to identify every eligible child who could benefit from their own communication device.
Variety is striving to make a big push for identification due to a recent grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development to provide nearly 1,000 communication devices to eligible kids, and we want to ensure that every eligible child in Northwestern Pa. is aware of the program!
The star of the Press Conference was 10-year old Brooke.
She also received a new PINK bike AND communication device. To demonstrate the impact of the communication device, Brooke used it (with help of her SLP) to tell everyone in attendance about her excitement for the bike, saying, “I can’t wait to ride my bike! I want to bring it to Waterford Elementary to show my friends. I can’t wait to use my water bottle! I want to race my cousins. I’m SO excited to get my new PINK BIKE!”
Altogether on Monday, Variety presented 20 communication devices, 7 adaptive bikes, and 3 adaptive strollers to local children with disabilities (worth $41,100).
Additionally, we received great media coverage to help you share in the joy.
- YourErie: https://www.yourerie.com/news/local-news/local-group-looks-to-give-1000-communication-devices-to-children-who-are-non-verbal-or-have-communication-disorders/
- GoErie: https://www.goerie.com/lifestyle/20200127/waterford-girl-gets-new-speech-tablet
- Erie News Now: https://www.erienewsnow.com/story/41616878/life-changing-communication-devices-for-kids
- The Corry Journal: Click here to read the article.
Thanks so much for sharing in the joy of our kids and families.
“I FELT SPECIAL…I could actually fit in.”
Three Sisters Can Now Ride Bikes TOGETHER!
Last Tuesday, 14-year old Laney received her new PINK adaptive bike from Variety during a special presentation at Saint Vincent Hospital, and it was a life-changer, as her mom, Traci put it.
Two of Laney’s sisters, Sarah and Lizzy already received adaptive bikes from Variety over the last two years, and now, these three sisters get to ride bikes side-by-side!
We could tell you more about the joy and impact, but better to hear it first-hand from Laney and her mom, Traci. Click here to watch this short, but beautiful video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpxdFwdaDP4&feature=youtu.be.
During our June 4th presentation, Variety provided a total of 37 adaptive bikes, adaptive strollers, and communication devices to kids like Laney and dozens more (altogether worth $52,800 in equipment).
We were even joined by SVH President & CEO, Dr. Christopher Clark and City of Erie Mayor Joseph Schember (pictured below with Laney and her sister Yili).
It was a DAY OF JOY, and you can watch this YourErie.com segment that captures more smiles and more from Laney herself to keep you smiling through the weekend – https://www.yourerie.com/news/local-news/37-kids-with-disabilities-receive-adaptive-equipment-during-tour/.
Best Part for Gabby? “Popping A Wheeley In The Street!”
Nearly a year ago, Gabby, age 12 was diagnosed with cancer, and it put the brakes on everything in this active, fun-loving girl’s life.
Gabby’s mom, Carmen told us a bit more about Gabby’s journey and the impact that her new bike would have,
“Gabby was a very happy-go-lucky 11-year child who had just finished the 5th grade. She has lots of friends and a twin sister who she was very active in playing with outside during the summer, whether it was going to a local amusement park, swimming, playing volleyball, or even riding bikes in the neighborhood.
All that came to an end when she was diagnosed with cancer in June 2017.
As a result, Gabby was too sick to go to school for her entire 6th grade school year, and spent it laying at home too sick to see her friends or do any of the things that typical kids her age should be doing. Medication left her legs and feet too numb to walk without braces, as well as keeping her off balance.
Today, she is better, but still prevented from doing most of the things she used to love to do.
This adaptive bike will help her to get out and play with the other kids and feel like she is a part of the old world she used to know. This bike will also allow her to get much needed exercise for her legs to re-build her strength.
Well, life took a positive turn for Gabby on Tuesday at Saint Vincent Hospital when she received her very own BLUE adaptive bike through Variety alongside many other kids. Something that Gabby said she had been wanting for a few months now.
As Gabby took her first ride around the hospital in a parade, she exclaimed, “Oh, that’s going to be the best part! Popping a wheeley in the middle of the street!”
You do NOT want to miss watching this Erie News Now piece by Reporter, Emily Matson – click here to watch. Be sure to watch it until the very end for Gabby’s words of excitement.
Marcel’s Silly Dance
DO YOU, “SILLY DANCE” to express your joy?
Marcel, age 7, came to our presentation today at Saint Vincent Hospital in Erie, Pennsylvania, and taught us how to silly-dance! Marcel received his adaptive bike from Variety last summer, and he wanted to come today to help more kids feel the joy he does when he’s on his bike.
CHECK OUT HIS SILLY DANCE